Ninh Binh makes efforts to conserve critically-endangered Delacour's Langurs

A safe home for rare and precious plant and animal species

With an area of 3,500 hectares, Van is the largest wetland nature reserve in the Northern Delta region. Its flora and fauna are rich and diverse, boasting 11 ecosystems and over 700 species of higher plants, 40 species of mammals, 43 species of fish, 38 species of reptiles, 100 species of birds, 43 species of fish, and 132 species of insects… Among them are several rare species listed in the Vietnamese Red Book.

Furthermore, the pristine forests and mountains, with their impressive caves and natural scenery, have become an ideal home for the Delacour's Langur one of the rare primate species with a small population in Vietnam and the world.

Henri Wahol, a British tourist, said: "This was our first time here, and we were quite impressed with the unspoiled nature and fresh air. When the boatman took us closer to the mountain range, we saw Delacour's Langura climbing on the rocky cliffs."

Before 2000, about 40 Delacour's Langurs were recorded in Van Long. To date, after many efforts, with the joint efforts of various sectors and authorities at all levels, domestic and international wildlife protection organisations, local authorities, and the people, the number of Delacour's Langur here has increased to over 250 individuals.

The Van Long Wetland Nature Reserve continues to demonstrate that it is a favourable environment for the Delacour's Langur to thrive and develop its population in the most natural way.

Conservation linked to sustainable tourism development

In the first quarter of 2026, the Van Long Wetland Nature Reserve welcomed 30,000 visitors, of whom 30% were domestic and 70% were international tourists.

To achieve this result, in recent times, authorities at all levels and sectors, especially the reserve management board, have focused on promoting awareness among local people as well as domestic and international tourists.

Within the reserve, numerous QR code scanning points have been designed; LED screens have been installed; and free tourist guidebooks have been distributed, allowing visitors to learn about the Van Long Wetland Nature Reserve, its biodiversity, and the risk of extinction of rare plant and animal species. Through this, the spirit and responsibility of each individual in conservation efforts have been enhanced.

In Van Long, tourism activities are implemented in the form of boat tours a method of tourism with minimal impact on the environment and ecosystem, providing visitors with enjoyable experiences.

Tran Xuan Quang, Director of the Van Long Ecotourism Service Cooperative, said the cooperative regularly organises training sessions for its members on sustainable tourism development linked to conservation. This raises awareness and responsibility among members in conserving nature and wildlife, thus building a civilized and friendly tourism image for visitors.

Currently, the local administration is also supporting local people in developing forests in conjunction with livelihoods, exploiting resources rationally without affecting biodiversity or the habitat of the Delacour's Langur; and at the same time, effectively carrying out reforestation and forest protection, protecting rare genetic resources.

Authorities have intensified coordinated patrols and inspections of wildlife hunting, consumption of wildlife products, and deforestation, strictly enforcing the law against violations; facilitating visits by experts and domestic and international organisations on wildlife conservation and endangered species; conducting scientific research; and implementing solutions to support the development of a rich ecosystem and create a natural environment for the Delacour's Langurs to thrive.

Nguyen Van Thai, Director of Save Vietnam's Wildlife, stated that the organisation has carried out numerous activities to protect forests and biodiversity, educate the community, promote ecotourism in Van Long Lagoon, and encourage the community’s participation in the reintroduction and restoration of some Delacour's Langur populations. In the future, the organisation will continue to investigate and research to assess the impacts on wildlife populations and develop effective conservation solutions.

Thanks to the focus on biodiversity conservation, including the endemic Delacour's Langurs, the area has contributed to enriching local natural resources, creating livelihoods for the people, and developing sustainable ecotourism in Van Long.

In 2019, the Van Long Wetland Nature Reserve was recognised as Vietnam's 9th Ramsar site.

In 2023, the Van Long Wetland Nature Reserve became the first protected area in Southeast Asia to receive the Green List certification from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

This recognition has motivated the management board of Van Long Wetland Nature Reserve and related sectors to make greater efforts in conserving the Delacour's Langurs, protecting the limestone and wetland ecosystem, and thereby developing it into one of the leading ecotourism destinations in the country./.